Ambassador Hall Travels to Ukraine to Support a National Day of Prayer

Everything is different now. No longer is their day like yours - get the kids up for school, go to work on the farm or in the shop, come home to relax with family and friends. Since Russia invaded almost three years ago, life in Ukraine transformed into a daily struggle simply to survive. Thousands of people have died, schools have been destroyed, communities devastated by bombings and electricity is a rare luxury. A country that once fed much of the world now depends on charity groups to feed them as farmers have been forced to become soldiers. 

Coping with the daily physical needs is overwhelming but underneath lies fear, sadness, anger and confusion that haunts each person living through this daily nightmare. How do we take care of the emotional and spiritual needs of each human in the midst of such turmoil? How do we prevent this cruelty from igniting a burning hatred in those who are suffering at the hands of others?  I believe that asking for God’s help through prayer is the key. 

As a former member of Congress representing Dayton Ohio, I had the honor of leading the legislative effort to create a National Day of Prayer for America, legislation that was signed by President Ronal Reagan in 1988. Celebrated on the first Thursday in May, it has grown to 72,000 volunteers and prayers at 350,000 sites around the world.

In the last year, I have been working with leaders in Ukraine on creating a National Day of Prayer for their struggling nation. I have visited there twice this year (not an easy trip!) and met with the Speaker and many members of the parliament, along with various faith leaders. The parliament has just drafted a Day of Prayer bill and wants to pass it by Christmas!

I deeply believe in the value and power of prayer, the need for people to humble themselves before God. There’s something wonderful about the unity of people praying together. There’s a peace and grace you can feel even if it’s hard to explain. It starts with believing, loving God, emptying ourselves of ourselves and caring for others. When we do this, I believe God answers our prayers. 

 I won’t pretend to have the answers but I believe God does. As we approach Christmas, it’s the perfect time for each of us to humble ourselves and turn to God for the answers we seek.

12/17/2024